NPP Chairmen Take It To The Next Level; Fresh Suit For Removal of NHIS Registrants Filed

Post by Stephanie Ekowa

The NPP chairmen sue EC for its refusal to remove the NHIS registrants’ names from the register despite the apex court’s order in the Abu Ramadan case, which demanded their entire deletion.

When Abu Ramadam hinted at suing Electoral Commissioners for high crime, some other political big wigs were also listening. Following EC’s reluctance to expunge names of NHIS registrants from voters’ register, three NPP chairmen sue EC again at the Supreme court asking it to compel the commission to provide the list of all persons who registered with NHIS cards.

The three NPP regional chairmen are those for the Upper East, Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Regions. The NPP chairmen sue EC for its refusal to remove the NHIS registrants’ names from the register despite the apex court’s order in the Abu Ramadan case, which demanded their entire deletion.

Interestingly a lawyer Nana Obiri Boahene is representing the three chairmen. According to him, the three came up with the decision in their bid to ensure that the commission carries out the responsibility effectively and efficiently. The lawyer who spoke to Citi News explained that the NPP chairmen are only demanding the full list of those who registered using the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards for each constituency.

Lawyer Boahene stated the demand to be the only request the plaintiffs are making. He however added that they would think of other means to get the EC to comply should they resist their request.

Abu Ramadan had filed a suit challenging the validity of the current voters’ register. He had prayed court to declare it null and void on the argument that those who registered with the NHIS card still had their names in the register as well as some minors and other ineligible persons.

Though the apex court did not order for a nullification of the register, it ordered the deletion of the names of all those who registered with the NHIS cards. It also asked the EC to remove the names of all other ineligible persons including the names of deceased persons. However it did not give a specific timeline for the clean up.

The EC subsequently argued that court did not order it to expunge names of NHIS registrants which has led to this current fuss.